U.S. patent number 10,987,527 [Application Number 16/239,636] was granted by the patent office on 2021-04-27 for nasal air filtration device.
The grantee listed for this patent is Erick Gray. Invention is credited to Erick Gray.
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United States Patent |
10,987,527 |
Gray |
April 27, 2021 |
Nasal air filtration device
Abstract
A nasal air filtration device for filtering air inhaled by a
user is disclosed. The nasal air filtration device includes a pair
of nostril tubes including a filter at one end and an ionic plate
at other end. Each of the nostril tubes includes a cup having a
plurality of openings. The nasal air filtration device includes a
base tube coupled to the nostril tubes. The base tube includes an
exhaust channel. The base tube includes a first housing having a
battery and a second housing having a fan. In order to filter the
air inhaled by a user, the nostril tubes are placed inside nostrils
of the user. When the user inhales, the fan is operated to draw the
air into the base tube, and the air is made to pass through the
filter and the ionic plate provided at the nostril tubes into the
nostrils via the openings. When the user exhales, the air is
released into the atmosphere through the exhaust channel via the
nostril tubes.
Inventors: |
Gray; Erick (Houston, TX) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gray; Erick |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
1000003850966 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/239,636 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A62B
23/06 (20130101); A62B 7/10 (20130101); A62B
18/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A62B
23/06 (20060101); A62B 7/10 (20060101); A62B
18/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Sippel; Rachel T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sanchelima & Associates, P.A.
Sanchelima; Christian Rodriguez; Alexander J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A nasal air filtration device, comprising: a pair of nostril
tubes, each of the nostril tubes comprising a filter at one end and
an ionic plate at the other end, a cap provided at each of the
nostril tubes, wherein the cap comprises a plurality of openings,
wherein the cap is coupled to the nostril tubes at the ionic plate;
a base tube coupled to the nostril tubes; and at least one housing
coupled to the base tube, wherein the housing comprises a fan,
wherein the nostril tubes are adapted to be placed inside nostrils
of a user, such that when the user inhales, the fan draws air into
the base tube, and the air is made to pass through the filter and
the ionic plate provided at the nostril tubes into the nostrils via
the openings.
2. The nasal air filtration device of claim 1, further comprises a
battery provided in the at least one housing.
3. The nasal air filtration device of claim 2, wherein the battery
is used to power the fan.
4. The nasal air filtration device of claim 3, wherein the battery
is coupled to the fan via a cable.
5. The nasal air filtration device of claim 1, wherein the base
tube comprises an exhaust channel to release the air exhaled by the
user.
6. The nasal air filtration device of claim 1, wherein each of the
nostril tubes comprises a spindle between the filter and the ionic
plate.
7. A nasal air filtration device, comprising: a pair of nostril
tubes, each of the nostril tubes comprising a filter at one end and
an ionic plate at the other end, a cap provided at each of the
nostril tubes, wherein the cap comprises a plurality of openings,
wherein the cap is coupled to the nostril tubes at the ionic plate;
a base tube coupled to the nostril tubes, wherein the base tube
comprises an exhaust channel; and a first housing and a second
housing coupled to the base tube at far ends, wherein the first
housing comprises a battery, and wherein the second housing
comprises a fan; wherein the nostril tubes are adapted to be placed
inside nostrils of a user, such that when the user inhales, the fan
is operated to draw air into the base tube, and the air is made to
pass through the filter and the ionic plate provided at the nostril
tubes into the nostrils via the openings, wherein when the user
exhales, the air is released into the atmosphere through the
exhaust via the nostril tubes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to air filtration devices.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a nasal air
filtration device insertable into nasal cavities for filtering
ambient air as it is inhaled.
2. Description of the Related Art
With increase in industrialization, humans are releasing excessive
amount of greenhouse gases into atmosphere. Further, with increase
in use of vehicles, burning of fossil fuels, waste, construction,
mining and other known mechanisms, people are increasingly
polluting or contaminating the air. These environments may harbor
virulent, bacteria, pollen, smoke, dust mites and other germs that
cause a reaction when ingested by an individual.
Typically, protective masks or surgical masks have been used to
couple to people's nose and mouth, which help to filter the air
breathed by the people. The protective masks may be used to reduce
inhalation of dust and other airborne particulates. As known, the
protective masks are made of a variety of air-permeable materials,
including one or more layers of woven or non-woven fabrics and
materials, and are generally disposed of after a single use. The
protective masks may be molded into a domed shape, which fits on
the wearer's face over the nose and mouth, and is secured around
the wearer's head by an elastic band.
Although the protective masks are useful to some extent to reduce
inhalation of dust and other airborne particulates, they are
ineffective due to perimeter leakage between the mask and face.
Further, the wearer may refuse to wear them, due to discomfort or
dissatisfaction with the appearance of the mask.
Further, with increase in need for effective filtration of
breathing air and to reduce inhaled quantities of particulates and
contaminants such as dust and pollen, several nasal filtration
devices have proposed in the past that provide the protection
offered by filtration masks but without the bulkiness and negative
presentation that accompanies a complete nose and mouth
covering.
One such example of a nasal filtration device is disclosed in a
granted U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,098. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,098B2, a
nasal air filtration device includes a pair of concave-convex
filters, and a support structure incorporating a pair of generally
annular bases for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples
the bases, to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and
to determine a desired angular relationship between the bases and
between the associated filters is disclosed.
Another example of a nasal filtration device is disclosed in a
granted U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,808. In U.S. Pat. No. 9,433,808B2, a
nasal filtration system that can be inserted into the nasal
cavities is disclosed. The filters comprise cavities through which
air is inhaled or exhaled. The filter performs as a mechanical
filter to catch and prevent the inhalation of undesirable
particulate. Further, the filter comprises a disinfectant agent,
such as colloidal silver, which kills germs, bacteria, and viruses
to prevent the spreading of disease.
Yet another example of a nasal filtration device is disclosed in a
granted U.S. Pat. No. 9,730,830. In U.S. Pat. No. 9,730,830B2, a
nasal insert comprising a housing defining an interior space and a
conoid shaped endmost insert portion adapted to be inserted into a
nasal cavity is disclosed.
Although the devices discussed above are helpful in filtering the
air inhaled by the user, they have few problems. For example, most
of the nasal filtration devices discussed above have a single layer
of filter, which is capable to collect solid particulates. As
known, the filters that are available today are not capable of
colleting fine particulates. As a result, the fine particulates
that are harmful may enter nasal cavity and cause diseases.
Other documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a
number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the
problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents
suggest the novel features of the present invention. Specifically,
none of the disclosures in the art disclose a nasal air filtration
device comprising a pair of nostril tubes, each having a filter at
one end and an ionic plate at other end, which helps to filter fine
particulates and allow the user to inhale clean air.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a nasal air filtration
device comprising nostril tubes having a filter at one end and an
ionic plate at other end, which helps to filter fine particulates
and allow the user to inhale clean air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a
nasal air filtration device for filtering air inhaled by a user
that avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a nasal air
filtration device comprising nostril tubes having a filter at one
end and an ionic plate at other end.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a nasal air
filtration device comprising a base tube having at least one
housing to have a fan to draw air into the filters.
It is one object of the present invention to provide a nasal air
filtration device for filtering air inhaled by a user. The nasal
air filtration device comprises a pair of nostril tubes comprising
a filter at one end and an ionic plate at other end. Each of the
nostril tubes comprises a cup having a plurality of openings. The
nasal air filtration device comprises a base tube coupled to the
nostril tubes. The base tube comprises an exhaust channel. The base
tube comprises a first housing having a battery and a second
housing having a fan. In order to filter the air inhaled by a user,
the nostril tubes are placed inside nostrils of the user. When the
user inhales, the fan is operated to draw the air into the base
tube, and the air is made to pass through the filter and the ionic
plate provided at the nostril tubes into the nostrils via the
openings. When the user exhales, the air is released into the
atmosphere through the exhaust channel via the nostril tubes.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the
following part of the specification, wherein detailed description
is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without
placing limitations thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention
consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as
will be more fully understood from the following description, when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a nasal air filtration
device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the nasal air filtration
device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates the nasal air filtration device 100 inserted
into adjacent naval cavities of a user, in accordance with one
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a nasal air filtration device 200, in accordance
with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description is intended to provide example
implementations to one of ordinary skill in the art, and is not
intended to limit the invention to the explicit disclosure, as one
or ordinary skill in the art will understand that variations can be
substituted that are within the scope of the invention as
described.
The present disclosure discloses a nasal air filtration device for
filtering air inhaled by a user. The nasal air filtration device
comprises a pair of nostril tubes comprising a filter at one end
and an ionic plate at other end. Each of the nostril tubes
comprises a cup having a plurality of openings. The nasal air
filtration device comprises a base tube coupled to the nostril
tubes. The base tube comprises an exhaust channel. The base tube
comprises a first housing having a battery and a second housing
having a fan. In order to filter the air inhaled by a user, the
nostril tubes are placed inside nostrils of the user. When the user
inhales, the fan is operated to draw the air into the base tube,
and the air is made to pass through the filter and the ionic plate
provided at the nostril tubes into the nostrils via the openings.
When the user exhales, the air is released into the atmosphere
through the exhaust channel via the nostril tubes.
Various features and embodiments of a nasal air filtration device
are explained in conjunction with the description of FIGS. 1-4.
Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of a nasal air filtration
device 100 for filtering air is shown, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present disclosure. The nasal air filtration
device 100 comprises a first nostril tube 110 and a second nostril
tube 130. In one example, each of the first nostril tube 110 and
the second nostril tube 130 are made up of a plastic, or metal or
any other suitable material. The first nostril tube 110 comprises a
first filter 112 at one end and a first ionic plate 114 at other
end. Further, the first nostril tube 110 comprises a first spindle
116 coupled to the first filter 112 and the first ionic plate
114.
Similarly, the second nostril tube 130 comprises a second filter
132 at one end and a second ionic plate 134 at other end. Further,
the second nostril tube 130 comprises a second spindle 136 coupled
to the second filter 132 and the second ionic plate 134.
It should be understood that each of the first filter 112 and the
second filter 132 may be provided in variety of shapes and sizes
and generally includes a centrally disposed synthetic meshed filter
region surrounded by an adhesive region. The adhesive region,
preferably formed of porous fabric with a hypoallergenic adhesive
coating on one side and can be used to couple the first filter 112
to the first nostril tube 110, and the second filter 132 to the
second nostril tube 130. In one example, each of the first filter
112 and the second filter 132 may be coated or impregnated with a
pharmaceutical compound, which either inhibits allergic reactions
or aids in the removal of organics in the air during inspiration.
The first filter 112 and the second filter 132 may be made up of
fibrous or porous material that helps in removing solid
particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the
air.
Further, the first ionic plate 114 and the second ionic plate 134
may be used to collect minute particles that are not collected by
the first filter 112 and the second filter 132, respectively.
The first nostril tube 110 and the second nostril tube 130 are
coupled using a base tube 150. As can be seen, the first nostril
tube 110 and the second nostril tube 130 are provided in relatively
parallel manner. Further, the base tube 150 is provided in
perpendicular to the first nostril tube 110 and the second nostril
tube 130.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the
base tube 150 comprises a first housing 160 at one end and a second
housing 170 at another end. The first housing 160 comprises a
battery 165. The second housing 170 comprises a fan 175. In one
example, the second housing 170 comprises a mesh 178 surrounding
the fan 175. Further, the battery 165 is coupled to the fan 175 via
a cable 180 drawn through the base tube 150.
Further, the base tube 150 comprises an exhaust channel 190 at the
bottom. The exhaust channel 190 may be used to release the air
exhaled into atmosphere.
Now referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the nasal air
filtration device 100, is shown, in accordance with one embodiment
of the present disclosure. As can be seen, the first nostril tube
110 comprises a first cap 120 having a plurality of first openings
122. Similarly, the second nostril tube 130 comprises a second cap
140 having a plurality of second openings 142. The first cap 120
and the second cap 140 may be made up of plastic, metal or any
other suitable material such that when the nasal air filtration
device 100 is inserted in nostrils of a user, the components coming
in contact with the nostrils does not harm the user.
Further, referring to FIG. 2, operation of the nasal air filtration
device 100 is explained. As specified above, the battery 165 is
coupled to the fan 175. When the fan 175 is operated, the fan 175
draws the air from the atmosphere into the base tube 150. Whenever
the user inhales, the air drawn by the fan 175 enters the first
nostril tube 110 and the second nostril tube 130. As specified
above, the first nostril tube 110 and the second nostril tube 130
comprise the first filter 112 and the second filter 132,
respectively. As the air passes through the first filter 112 and
the second filter 132, solid particulates such as dust, pollen, and
bacteria from the air are removed.
Further, fine particulates present in the air that are not
collected by the filters 112, 132 are collected by the first ionic
plate 114 and the second ionic plate 134 provided in the first
nostril tube 110 and the second nostril tube 130, respectively.
Subsequently, the air is made to pass through the first openings
122 and the second openings 142 into the nostrils.
Further, when the user exhales, the air is made to pass through the
first nostril tube 110 and the second nostril tube 130 via the
first openings 122 and the second openings 142, and the first
filter 112 and the second filter 132. Subsequently, the air is
released into the atmosphere through the exhaust channel 190.
Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of the nasal air
filtration device 100 inserted into adjacent naval cavities N of a
user is shown, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure. As can be seen, the first nostril tube 110 and
the second nostril tube 130 are inserted into the both naval
cavities N of the user. Further, the base tube 150 acts as a tether
for holding the first nostril tube 110 and the second nostril tube
130 to the nose N.
Although the present embodiment is presented to have the battery
165 in the first housing 160 and the fan 175 in the second housing
170, it should be possible to provide the battery 165 and the fan
175 in each of first housing 160 and the second housing 170. In
other words, the first housing 160 is provided with the battery 165
and the fan 175, and the second housing 170 is also provided with
the battery 165 and the fan 175. This is because to increase the
air drawn into the nostril tubes 110, 130 such that the user may be
able to inhale sufficient amount of air.
Now referring to FIG. 4, a nasal air filtration device 200 for
filtering air inhaled by a user is shown, in accordance with
another embodiment of the present disclosure. The nasal air
filtration device 200 comprises a first nostril tube 210 comprises
a first filter 212 at one end and a first ionic plate 214 at other
end. Further, the first nostril tube 210 comprises a first spindle
216 coupled to the first filter 212 and the first ionic plate 214.
Further, the first nostril tube 210 comprises a first cap 220
having a plurality of first openings 222.
Similarly, the nasal air filtration device 200 comprises a second
nostril tube 230 comprises a second filter 232 at one end and a
second ionic plate 234 at other end. Further, the second nostril
tube 230 comprises a second spindle 236 coupled to the second
filter 232 and the second ionic plate 234. Further, the second
nostril tube 230 comprises a second cap 240 having a plurality of
second openings 242.
The first nostril tube 210 and the second nostril tube 230 are
coupled to a base tube 250 having an exhaust channel 260.
In the current embodiment, when the user inhales, the air enters
the first nostril tube 210 and the second nostril tube 230 through
the filters 212, 232 and then through into the first openings 222
and the second openings 242. Further, when the user exhales, the
air is made to pass through the first nostril tube 210 and the
second nostril tube 230 via the first openings 222 and the second
openings 242, and the first filter 212 and the second filter 232.
Subsequently, the air is released into the atmosphere through the
exhaust channel 260. It should be understood that the current
embodiment is presented to illustrate that the nasal air filtration
device 200 can be used to without the need of the fan and the
battery as explained above.
Based on the above, it is evident that the nasal air filtration
device disclosed herein can be used to filter the air that the user
inhales. Due to the presence of filter, the solid particulates are
filtered out first. Subsequently, the ionic plates collect any
residual or fine particulates. As such, the air is cleaned before
the user breathes the air into the nasal cavity. As a result, the
user will be able to breathe clean air and have a healthy life.
Further, the fan helps to draw the air into the nostrils tubes. As
a result, the user may not have to put pressure to inhale the air
when the user wears the nasal air filtration device.
It should be understood that the nasal air filtration device might
be provided in different shapes and sizes depending on the user
such as children or adult. Further, nasal air filtration device may
be made using plastic, aluminum or silver or any other suitable
material.
The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the
objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different
embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention.
It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be
interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting
sense.
* * * * *